Change is a constant in construction. On the other hand, some things never seem to change, and that includes OSHA’s Top 10 more frequently cited violations across all industries. These accidents and injuries occur because the prevention programs are poorly supervised, mismanaged, or handed off to employees and forgotten.
Avoid These 10 Construction Violations
1. Falls – Protections should be in place for work above 6 feet, and this includes residential construction. Roofs are a major source of falls, but so are elevator shafts.
2. HazCom – Hazard communications entail informing employees of caustic materials and chemicals to which they may be exposed. Most of the problems involve a lack of:
- Labeling
- Safety data sheets (SDSs)
- Training
- Written inventories
3. Respiratory protection – Assessing exposure to lead means making informed decisions about protection. Dust masks are considered respiratory equipment. Respiratory equipment can stress bodies and many violations involve testing to see if employees are medically able to wear it.
4. Scaffolding – In addition to a lack of training, holes in platforms, inadequate fall protection, and inadequate points of access are cited.
5. Ladders – They must extend at least 3´ above the upper landing surface.
6. Lockout/Tagout – OSHA requires the development and implementation of a program to control unexpected energy releases when using equipment or sources of energy:
- Chemical
- Electrical
- Mechanical
- Pneumatic
- Thermal
7. PIT – Powered industrial truck violations occur for many reasons, including untrained employees operating equipment. PITs include:
- Forklifts
- Order pickers
- Powered pallet jacks
- Stand-up rider trucks
8. Fall protection training – Certification must be issued to employees trained in fall hazard protections and procedures.
9. Eye/face protection – Employers are required to document risks and provide eye and face shields against:
- Acids/caustics
- Chemical gases/vapors
- Flying particles
- Light radiation
- Liquid chemicals
- Molten metal
10. Machinery guarding – Protections should be in place at the point of operation, as well as having the equipment properly secured/anchored during operation.
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